Foldable table



Feb. 20, 1951 www m. .0f l

Feb. 20, 1951 B. col-IEN ET A1.

FOLDABLE TABLE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1948 BY QQSEPH P ucm Affomey Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES iiTENT OFFICE FOLDABLE TABLE Boris Cohen and Joseph Pucci, Philadelphia, Pa. Application August 25, 1948, Serial No.. 45,003

(C1. S11-9M 6 claims. 1

This invention irelates to improvements in foldable tables and has as its principal object the provision of a strong and durable; table` constructed entirely of metal which is adapted` to be readily folded intoa portable, compact unit sorthat it be conveniently stored or carried about from place to place.

A further and` important object of the present invention is to provide a foldable table the supporting legs of which are so operatively associated with relatively shiftable interengaging bracing elements that whensaid legs. are eX- tended into table supporting relation the bracing elemnits intereng'age to rigidify the top of the table and at the same time lock the legs operatively in position to securely support the table top.`

stili further object of the invention isto provide a foldable table which is comparatively simple. and inexnnsive in design and construction, which is strong, durable and extremely rigid in use, and which is adapted for a wide variety of uses, the. table top being formed of a pair of hinged sections which are readily eX- tensible into coplanar relation and which when folded together provide ashallow box-like er1-- closure for the table supporting leg-s and their operatively associated interengaging bracing elements.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the present invention consists substantially` in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangementv of parts, all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the I accompanying drawings and asfinally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the table as it appears when in folded condition;

Figure 2 is an edge elevational view of the folded table; l

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the bottom of the table when the top sections thereof are extended into coplanar relation;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line i-ll of Figure 3; o

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the table as set up for use;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the table shown in Figure 5; i lFigure '7 is an enlarged side elevational View partially in section of that portion of the table inscribedwithin the dotted circle or, Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view as taken along. the line --s ol- Figure '7;- and Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken along the lined-9 of Figure '7. j

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be observed that the top of the, foldabletable as constructed in` accordance with the present invention is divided transversely midway of its length to form a pair of identical sections respectively designated l@ and Il, these table top extensions being hingedly secured together by a pair or transversdy spaced hinge units, each consisting of a pair of hinge elements E2--l2 respectively secured tov the adjoining corners of the table top sections le and Il and interconnected by a hinge pin I3. The hinged table top sections t@ and il are each characterized by a depending ange i4 extending' around the full perimeter of the table top section, the depending nange being inwardly turned, as at i5, to provide each table top section with a marginal edge of inwardly presenting channel-shaped formation. The depth of the marginal channel of` each of the table top sections le and il is such that when said sections are-folded together, as shown in Figure 2, a space is providd between the parallel1 panels of said sections which is adequate to house the folded supporting legs for the table and their operatively associated bracing elements to be presently described.

Operatively associated with, each of 'the table top actions I0 and Il is a table top supporting member I6 of generally U-shape, the opposite parallel legs of. which are suitably reinforced and braced by an` interconnecting V-shaped element Il. The laterally spaced outer extremities of each U-shaped table top supporting member I6 arerzspeetively hingedly connected, as at lS-i8, to longitudinally shiftable members i9l and 2l) respectively nested within the opposite longitudinally extending side channels of the table top section. These longitudinally shiftable members IS-Jil are each of channel-shaped cross section, as` shown most clearly in Figure 8, the upper ilanges 2i of said members being disposed in flatwise engagement with the top panel of the table, while the lower ilanges 22 thereof are respectively in engagement withY the inturned flanges i5 of the table top. Each of the longitudinally shift'able channel-shaped members ISL-Z0 is longitudinally slotted, as at 2S (see Figures 4, 7 and 8) and projecting through the slot of each of the members i92 operatively associated with each of the table top sections It and Il is iixed pivot pin 2t, these pins 2li being in the forni of oppositely headed rivets or studs which project laterally through the longitudinally eX- tending side flanges i-i of the vtable top sections. livoiallyV connected at one end thereof to each of the fixed pivot pins 2li is a link 25 the opposite end oi which is pivotally connected, as at 26, to a side leg of the table-supporting member I6.

Normally, each of the U-shaped table-supporting members i6, when the table is not in use, is disposed iiatwise against the undersurface of the top panel of` the Section with which it is asso- 3 ciated, as shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, in which folded position of the table-supporting member I6 the links 25 connected to opposite legs thereof are disposed in positions closely adjoining and paralleling the opposite legs of the member i6, while the operatively associated members IS--ZQ are so shifted outwardly toward the outer end of the associated table top section as to present their hinged connections IS-i with the member i6 immediately adjacent the outer or free end of the table top section.

When the table-supporting members I6 are each swung into position for supporting the table, that is, substantially at right angles to the table top sections with which they are respectively associated, as shown in Figure 6, the members iS-Z are each shifted inwardly at the same time that the connecting links 25 shift into angular relation with respect to the opposite side legs of the table-supporting member I6. During this shifting of the table-supporting members I6 from their folded positions shown in Figure 3 into their table-supporting positions shown in Figure 6, the hinged connections iii-I8 between the outer free ends of the U-shaped member I6 and the shiftable members iS-Z move with the members I9-2Il and in the plane of shifting movement of the latter, When the leg-supporting members IB-I 6 are oppositely swung into parallel table-supporting position,A as shown in Figure 6, the links 25 serve to brace the legs and hold them in rigid right angular relation with respect to the extended table top sections 9 and I.

In order to prevent collapse of the table top along the hinge line of the table top sections Ii) and II, the shiftable members I9-I9 are each formed of such length that when inwardly shifted to their full extent, as when the table-supporting members ttf-I are swung into right angular relation with respect to their associated table top sections Iil and I I, they project beyond the transverse fold line of the hinged table top sections and so maintain the latter in horizontally extended coplanar relation. It will be noted that the shiftable members IQ--Z associated with each table t;

topV section are reversely arranged in the two sections so that the long member I9 of section I@ extends along Vone side of the table, while the corresponding long member I9 of the table top section II extends along the other side of the table. Thus, when the table is set up, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the long shiftable members Ill-.i9 are diagonally opposite one another with each projecting across the transverse flat line of the hinged table top sections, ywhile the cooperating short Vshiftable members 2Q-2 are also dis-Y posed diagonally opposite one another but with their inner ends terminating short of the said transverse flat line of the-table.

ln order to lock the table in its open or unfolded condition, as shown in Figure '7, each of the diagonally opposed relatively long shiftable Y members iii-IQ is provided at its free inner end with an extension member 21, this latter being welded or otherwise secured, as at 28, to the shiftable member-i9 in such manner that the Ymember 2 mayride over and upon the member Eil, as shown in Figure 9. Theextension member 2l may, of course, be formed, if desired, as an integral part of the member I9 instead of being welded thereto as a separate element, it being only necessary in either case that the extension be offset from the main body of the member I9 to an extent sufficient to permit the member 2@ to shift freely between the extension and the side 4 Y flange YIII of the table top. Each of the offset extensions 21-21 is provided with a punched-in depression 2S to provide a detent, as at 29, which is adapted to project into the slot 23 of the member 2Q and engage the inner end of said slot, as shown most clearly in Figures 7 and 9, t0 frictionally hold the members I9 and 20 in more or less closely abutting relation. YThe inherent resiliency of the offset extensions 2'I-2'I provide for adequate inner engagement of each pair of the members I9 and 2D when the same are shifted into their extreme positions toward each other, while providing for quick release of said interengaged members upon shifting the table top supporting members from their parallel relation shown in Figure 6 to their folded relation shown in Figure 3.

In order to permit projection of the shiftable members I9-I 9 across the fold line of the hinged table top sections when the latter are extended into coplanar relation, the inner transverse flanges thereof terminate short of the opposite side flanges to provide free spaces, as at 30-30 (see Figure 3) through which said members I S-I 9 are free to project.

When it is desired to collapse or fold the table, the table top supporting ymembers IB-IS are y swung about their compound pivots 24 and 25 into positions closely paralleling the top panels of the hinged sections I0 and II, following which the latter are folded together to provide an exceedingly neat and compact unit which may be conveniently stored away or carried from place to place. For carrying purposes one or the other of the hinged sections I-II may be provided with a carrying handle 3l which may be of any suitable form and which may be Vprovided with means for interlocking together the hinged table top sections. The handle 3| may, of course, be mounted on one or the other of the opposite free ends of the hinged table sections, or it may be mounted upon one or the other of the side edges thereof. When the table is to be placed in use, it is merely necessary to extend the hinged sections I0 or II into coplanar relation and then swing the leg members Iii-I6 upwardly and oppositely into substantially parallel relation so as to shift each Vpair of the Vmembers I9-20 into abutting interengaged relation as hereinbefore described. Y

It will be understood, of course, that the table--v as constructed in accordance with the present invention may be made in various sizes or dimensions and while it is preferable to construct it entirely of metal, it may be made of any other suitable material or combination of materials. It will be understood also that the invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to'time without departing from the general principles or real spirit thereof and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A foldable table comprising a' pair of top sections hingedly secured together for` relative movement about a transverse line disposed substantially midway' of the overall length of the table whereby said sections are adapted to be alternatively folded into substantially parallel relation or extended into coplanar relation, a pair of longitudinally shiftable members respectively disposed along opposite side edges of 'reach of said top sections, a supporting member for each top sectionV having leg portions pivotally secured respectively to the outer extremities of each pair of said longitudinally shiftable members, and a pair of link members for each supporting member, each link member having one end thereof pivotally connected to one of said top sections at a xed point along the side thereof and its opposite end pivotally connected to a leg portion of the supporting member for said top section, said supporting members being operative when moved into approximately right angular relation with respect to their associated top sections to shift said pairs of longitudinally shiftable members toward each other to effect interengagement of the latter and support said table top sections in extended coplanar relation, said supporting members being relatively foldable to present the same and their associated link members in substantially a common plane paralleling that of the top section with which they are associated.

2. In a foldable table of the character deiined in claim 1 wherein said table top sections are each formed along their opposite longitudinally extending side edges with inwardly presenting channels and wherein said longitudinally shiftable members are respectively nested in said channels for guided rectilinear movement therein.

3. In a foldable table of the character defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of each pair of said longitudinally shiftable members is of a length sufficient to project a substantial distance beyond the transverse fold line of the table when the top sections thereof are extended into coplanar relation and the supporting members are swung into right angular relation with respect to their associated top sections.

4. In a foldable table of the character defined in claim 1 wherein the proximate ends of the longitudinally shiftable members are respectively 6 provided with coacting means for releasably 1nterlocking the same when the table is set up for use.

5. In a foldable table of the character defined in claim 1 wherein each of said hinged table top sections is perimetrally flanged to form a shallow tray-like structure within which is adapted to be nested its supporting member and the longitudinally shiftable members and links associated with said supporting member, and wherein upon folduing said top sections togethel1 an enclosed boxlike structure is provided within the interior of which is housed both of the supporting members and their respectively associated parts.

6. In a foldable table of the character dened in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally shiftable members are each longitudinally slot-ted and wherein corresponding ends of said link members are pivoted to said side edges of the table top sections by pivot bolts xed to said side edges and projecting through the slots of said shiftable members the latter being rectilinearly shiftable relatively to said pivot bolts.

BORIS "COI-IEN. JOSEPH PUCCI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 366,096 Heck July 5, 1887 643,511 Lloyd Feb. 13, 1900 1,378,178 Korn May 17, 1921 1,630,102 Zimmerman May 24, 1927 2,178,248 Bristow Oct. 31, 1939 2,326,461 Howe Aug. 10, 1943 

